Fastener for fixing wall-covering material to a batten

Abstract

In this fastener which comprises a base plate suitable for being fixed to a batten, at least one retaining tab which is integrally formed with the base plate and which is suitable for retaining a piece of covering material, and two fixing tabs which extend sideways from two respective opposite parallel edges of the base plate and which, when the base plate is placed on a batten, are suitable for being folded down against opposite sides of the batten, there is provided, in addition, at least one spike integrally formed with each fixing tab and extending perpendicularly thereto for gripping the batten after the fixing tab has been folded down there against.

I claim: 
     
       1. In combination, a wooden batten and a fastener for fixing wall-covering material to the batten, the fastener comprising a base plate fixed to the batten, at least one retaining tab integrally formed with the base plate for retaining the covering material, and two fixing tabs extending sideways from respective ones of two parallel edges of the base plate and folded back against either side of the batten, wherein each fixing tab includes two spikes which are triangular in shape, integrally formed with the fixing tab, and extend perpendicularly therefrom and in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the base plate and perpendicular to the grain of the wood of the batten, one of the two free edges of each spike which is closest to the base plate extending perpendicularly to the edge of the fixing tab from which the spike extends. 
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a wall covering material having on one side a first longitudinal edge with a longitudinally extending groove therein and on the opposite side a second longitudinal edge with a longitudinally extending tongue suitable for engaging in the groove of an adjacent covering material, the retaining tab including a portion suitable for being engaged in the groove. 
     
     
       3. A fastener for fixing wall-covering material to a wooden batten, the fastener comprising a base plate suitable for being fixed to the batten, at least one retaining tab integrally formed with the base plate for retaining the covering matrial, and two fixing tabs extending sideways from respective ones of two parallel edges of the base plate and suitable, when said base plate is placed on the batten, for being folded back against either side of the batten, wherein each fixing tab includes at least one spike, two at most, which is integrally formed with the fixing tab and which extends perpendicular from an edge of said fixing tab and in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the base plate and perpendicular to the grain of the wood of the batten in order to grip the batten after said fixing tab has been folded back thereagainst, and wherein each spike is triangular in shape with the one of its two free edges closest to the base plate being parallel to the base plate after said fixing tab has been folded back against said batten. 
     
     
       4. A fastener according to claim 3, wherein each spike extends from the end of the corresponding fixing tab which is furthest from the base plate. 
     
     
       5. A fastener according to claim 4, wherein the length of each fixing tab is not less than one-half the thickness of the batten and not more than said thickness. 
     
     
       6. A fastener according to claim 3, wherein the retaining tab includes a first branch which is situated in a plane perpendicular to the base plate and to said two parallel edges from which the fixing tabs extend, and a second branch which extends parallel to said base plate and which is situated on one side of said plane, said second branch being suitable for being engaged in a groove provided in the edge of a piece of covering material, and wherein both fixing tabs are located on the other side of said plane. 
     
     
       7. A fastener according to claim 3, wherein the retaining tab comprises a branch which is situated in a plane perpendicular to the base plate and to said two parallel edges thereof from which the fixing tabs extend, with the base plate and the fixing tabs being situated entirely to one side of said plane, and with the retaining tab being of sufficient length to enable its terminal portion to be folded down against the covering material to be fixed to the batten. 
     
     
       8. A fastener for fixing wall-covering material to a wooden batten, the fastener comprising a base plate suitable for being fixed to the batten, at least one retaining tab integrally formed with the base plate for retaining the covering material, and two fixing tabs extending sideways from respective ones of two parallel edges of the base plate and suitable, when said base plate is placed on the batten, for being folded back against either side of the batten, wherein each fixing tab includes two spikes which are integrally formed with the fixing tab and which extend perpendicularly therefrom and in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the base plate and perpendicular to the grain of the wood of the batten in order to grip the batten after said fixing tab has been folded back thereagainst, wherein each spike is triangular in shape with the one of its two free edges closest to the base plate being parallel to the base plate after said fixing tab has been folded back against said batten, and wherein said two spikes project from respective ones of two opposite free edges of the fixing tab, said opposite edges both extending from that edge of the base plate from which the fixing tab extends. 
     
     
       9. A fastener according to claim 1 having a plurality of said retaining tabs spaced from and aligned with each other. 
     
     
       10. A fastener according to claim 1, wherein the two spikes are situated close to the end of the fixing tab which is furthest from the base plate. 
     
     
       11. A fastener according to claim 10, wherein the length of each fixing tab is substantially equal to the thickness of the batten. 
     
     
       12. A fastener according to claim 1, wherein the two fixing tabs are rectangular. 
     
     
       13. A fastener according to claim 12, wherein both spikes are situated close to the end of the fixing tab which is furthest from the base plate. 
     
     
       14. A fastener according to claim 13, wherein the length of each fixing tab is substantially equal to the thickness of the batten. 
     
     
       15. A fastener according to claim 13, wherein the retaining tab includes a first branch which is situated in a plane perpendicular to the base plate and to said two parallel edges from which the fixing tabs extend, and a second branch which extends parallel to said base plate and which is situated on one side of said plane, said second branch being suitable for being engaged in a groove provided in the edge of a piece of covering material, and wherein both fixing tabs are located on the other side of said plane. 
     
     
       16. A fastener according to claim 13, wherein the retaining tab comprises a branch which is situated in a plane perpendicular to the base plate and to said two parallel edges thereof from which the fixing tabs extend, with the base plate and the fixing tabs being situated entirely to one side of said plane, and with the retaining tab being of sufficient length to enable its terminal portion to be folded down against the covering material to be fixed to the batten. 
     
     
       17. A fastener according to claim 14, wherein the retaining tab includes a first branch which is situated in a plane perpendicular to the base plate and to said two parallel edges from which the fixing tabs extend, and a second branch which extends parallel to said base plate and which is situated on one side of said plane, said second branch being suitable for being engaged in a groove provided in the edge of a piece of covering material, and wherein both fixing tabs are located on the other side of said plane. 
     
     
       18. A fastener according to claim 14, wherein the retaining tab comprises a branch which is situated in a plane perpendicular to the base plate and to said two parallel edges thereof from which the fixing tabs extend, with the base plate and the fixing tabs being situated entirely to one side of said plane, and with the retaining tab being of sufficient length to enable its terminal portion to be folded down against the covering material to be fixed to the batten.